Rosenbach Museum and Library facts for kids
The Rosenbach in 2009
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| Established | 1954 |
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| Location | 2008 and 2010 Delancey Place Delancey Place (Philadelphia), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Public transit access |   SEPTA bus: 17 |
The Rosenbach is a special museum and library in Philadelphia. It's located inside two old houses from the 1800s. This museum was created in 1954 from the amazing collections of two brothers, Philip and Dr. Abraham Simon Wolf Rosenbach.
These brothers owned a company called the Rosenbach Company. They were famous for dealing in rare books, old manuscripts (handwritten documents), and beautiful art pieces in the early 1900s. Dr. Rosenbach was especially important in the world of rare books. He helped build some of America's greatest libraries, like the Widener Library at Harvard and the Folger Shakespeare Library. In 2013, the Rosenbach joined the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. However, it still has its own leaders and works on its own.
Contents
A Special Historical Marker
On April 2, 2008, the Rosenbach received a special State Historical Marker. This marker was given by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. It honors Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach for his important work. The marker is placed right in front of the museum. It celebrates Dr. Rosenbach as one of America's best rare book dealers. It also recognizes his lasting impact on Philadelphia and beyond.
The sign says:
"Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach (1876–1952) Among America's most influential rare book dealers, he helped build many of the nation's great libraries. He and his brother Philip established the Rosenbach to share their personal collection with the public. They lived on this block from 1926 to 1952."
Exploring the Collections
The museum feels much like the Rosenbach brothers lived there. Many rooms are filled with furniture from the 1700s. You can see beautiful pieces by famous designers like Chippendale. There's even an old wooden box made for King Charles II! The museum also has a large collection of English silver and gold. This includes items made for the British royal family.
You can also find over a thousand tiny portrait paintings. One of these is by Nicholas Hilliard and shows King James I. The museum also displays lovely porcelain, glass, paintings, and sculptures. In 1993, the museum bought the building next door. This allowed them to have more space for exhibits.
Amazing American History Books and Papers
The Rosenbach has a fantastic collection of American history. It starts with stories of early voyages and explorations.
- You can see a copy of Antonio Pigafetta's story about Ferdinand Magellan's trip around the world.
- There are also rare papers about the first settlements in Virginia.
- The collection includes letters from famous explorers like Cortés and Pizarro.
The museum also has some of the very first books printed in the Americas.
- These include books from Mexico (1543–44) and Lima (1584–85).
- They also have the famous Bay Psalm Book. This was the first book ever printed in what is now the United States (in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1661).
The American Revolution is well documented here.
- There are over 100 letters written by George Washington.
- You can see the original paper where the Continental Congress made a key decision.
- There's a great collection of documents signed by those who signed the Declaration of Independence.
- The museum also has a set of Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanacks. This includes the only known copy of the very first edition from 1733!
The story of America's westward expansion is also told.
- You can see old diaries and travel stories from pioneers.
- There's even a document signed by Andrew Johnson. This paper allowed Seward to buy Alaska!
The Civil War collection is huge.
- It has more than 200 letters from Abraham Lincoln.
- There are 150 war letters from Ulysses S. Grant.
- You can also see two letters from Robert E. Lee.
- Most importantly, the museum has the original paper signed by both parts of the United States Congress. This paper proposed the Thirteenth Amendment, which ended slavery.
Great Books and Writers from Around the World
This collection starts with old English writings from the 1400s.
- It includes poems by Thomas Hoccleve (1410). These poems have a famous picture of Chaucer.
- There's a major handwritten copy of the Canterbury Tales.
- You can also see a very rare first edition of Pilgrim's Progress.
The museum has first editions of important works by many major British writers from the 1700s.
- Some highlights include Milton's Paradise Lost.
- There are letters from Thomas Gray.
- You can also find parts of the handwritten Life of Johnson by James Boswell.
- The Rosenbach has the largest collection of Robert Burns's handwritten works anywhere!
As you move into the 1800s and 1900s, the collection gets even stronger.
- There are handwritten works by Walter Scott, William Wordsworth, and Shelley.
- You can see a famous love letter from Keats to Fanny Brawne.
- The museum has the only remaining part of Fitzgerald's Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.
The Rosenbach has an amazing Dickens collection.
- It includes his earliest known handwritten work.
- There's even a photo signed by Dickens the day before he died.
- The collection also has handwritten copies of Dickens' Nicholas Nickleby and Pickwick Papers.
Lewis Carroll is well represented too.
- There are over 600 letters from him.
- You can see his early drawings and his own first-edition copy of Alice in Wonderland.
- Other handwritten works include those by Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Dylan Thomas.
One of the museum's most valuable items is the handwritten manuscript of James Joyce's Ulysses. Every year, the museum celebrates this book with a special event called Bloomsday. They read parts of the book aloud.
The Rosenbach also has a recreation of Marianne Moore's living room. It looks just like it did when she lived and worked there for over 40 years. Her complete library is part of the collection. It includes books given to her by friends like Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot. All her letters and drafts of her poems are also here.
The Maurice Sendak Collection
Famous author and illustrator Maurice Sendak chose the Rosenbach to keep his work. He is the author and illustrator of Where the Wild Things Are and many other books. His collection has nearly 10,000 pieces. These include art, handwritten papers, books, and other items. This collection has been shown in many exhibits at the Rosenbach. Visitors of all ages have enjoyed it.
Sendak is one of the most famous creators of children's books. His work has changed how children's literature is seen. It continues to amaze both kids and adults today. His new ideas and honest way of showing childhood feelings are loved worldwide. He has won many important awards. These include the Caldecott Book Medal (1964) and the Hans Christian Andersen Medal (1970).
From May 2008 to May 2009, the Rosenbach showed There's a Mystery There: Sendak on Sendak. This huge exhibit had over 130 pieces from the museum's large Sendak collection. It was the biggest exhibit of Sendak's work ever. It showed original art, rare sketches, and never-before-seen materials. The exhibit used over 300 objects in total. New works were displayed every four months. This made each visit a unique experience.
In 2014, Sendak's personal works went back to his family. They are now cared for by the Sendak Foundation. However, the Rosenbach still has his rare book collection. This includes rare books by Herman Melville, Beatrix Potter, and William Blake. It also has cool pop-up books by Lothar Meggendorfer.
Amazing Book Illustrations
The museum has many beautiful old book illustrations.
- It includes medieval illuminations (decorated pages).
- There are drawings by famous French artists from the 1700s. These include François Boucher and Jean-Honoré Fragonard.
- You can see important pencil drawings, watercolors, and books by William Blake.
- There are also drawings to illustrate Don Quixote by artists like Honoré Daumier.
- The collection includes sketches by William Makepeace Thackeray for his own books.
- You can also find John Tenniel's drawings for Alice and Through the Looking Glass.
- Other artists include Aubrey Beardsley and Ernest Shepard.
See also
- John Ratcliff
